High-resolution visible laser spectroscopy of HfF

The electronic spectrum of hafnium monofluoride has been investigated from 415 to 725 nm using a laser-ablation/molecular beam laser-induced fluorescence spectrometer. Several electronic systems were observed and data have been recorded at both low and high resolution. High resolution rotational analyses of the [17.4]1.5-X1.5 (0-0), [17.9]2.5-X1.5 (0-0), [19.7]0.5-X1.5 (0-0), [20.0]0.5-X1.5 (0-0), [21.1]2.5-X1.5 (0-0), [22.3]1.5-X1.5 (0-0), and [23.3]0.5-X1.5 (0-0) subbands have been carried out, resulting in accurate values for the ground and excited state effective rotational constants. Furthermore, the rotational analysis of the subbands assigned as [17.4]1.5-X1.5 (1-0) and [17.9]2.5-X1.5 (1-0) allows us to determine values of 589.7569(6) and 588.9076(6) cm⁻¹ for ΔG^′_1/2 [17.4] and ΔG^′_1/2 [17.9], respectively. From dispersed fluorescence data we find that ΔG^′′_1/2=670(13) cm⁻¹ for the ground state and that another low-lying electronic state lies at ∼2850 cm⁻¹. The data also suggests that a second low-lying electronic state lies at ∼5200 cm⁻¹ above the ground state.     

High-Resolution Survey of the Visible Spectrum of NiF by Fourier Transform Spectroscopy

High-resolution spectra of NiF have been recorded in emission by Fourier transform spectroscopy using a very stable discharge source. The 0-0 bands of 14 electronic transitions have been studied, 6 of them for the first time. This work confirms the presence of 5 low-lying spin components X²Π_3/2, [0.25]²Σ⁺, [0.83]A²Δ_5/2, [1.5]B²Σ⁺, and [2.2]A²Δ_3/2 as known from previous laser-induced fluorescence experiments. Eight electronic states are now identified in the 18 000-24 000 cm⁻¹ range above the ground X²Π_3/2 state. Electronic assignments for these excited states are not always obvious because of violations of the selection rules and unusual fine structure parameters. We think that some of the upper states are spin components of quartet states. In such a congested spectrum, high-resolution spectra are best analyzed in conjunction with an energy level diagram constructed mainly by dispersed low resolution laser-induced fluorescence.     

Spectroscopy of nickel chloride: Identification of the [15.0] Π3/2 and [15.0] Δ5/2 states

Vibrational bands belonging to the [15.0] ²Δ_5/2-A²Δ_5/2, [15.0] ²Δ_5/2-X²Π_3/2, and [15.0] ²Π_3/2-X²Π_3/2 electronic transitions of NiCl have been observed in the 14 000-16 000 cm⁻¹ region. The [15.0] ²Δ_5/2 and [15.0] ²Π_3/2 states are identified for the first time. The observed bands have been recorded at high spectral resolution using several techniques, which include intracavity laser spectroscopy (ILS), Fourier transform emission spectroscopy (FTS), and laser induced fluorescence (LIF) spectroscopy. For the ILS absorption spectra, NiCl molecules were produced in a nickel hollow cathode operated with a small amount of CCl₄. For the FTS emission spectra, excited NiCl molecules were produced in a King-type carbon tube furnace loaded with NiCl₂ and heated to 1600 °C. In the LIF work, NiCl molecules were produced by reacting laser-ablated nickel with PCl₃ seeded in argon. Detailed analysis of rotational transition lines indicates that the observed [15.0] ²Δ_5/2 and [15.0] ²Π_3/2 states are only separated by 10 cm⁻¹ and are interacting with each other. Molecular constants for these newly observed electronic states are reported.     

High-Resolution Fourier Transform Spectroscopy of Three Near-Infrared Transitions of NiF

The emission spectrum of the NiF radical has been recorded by high-resolution Fourier transform spectroscopy in the region 6000-12 000 cm⁻¹. Numerous new near-infrared bands were observed. In this paper three electronic transitions are analyzed leading to the identification of two new electronic states: a [12.0]²Φ_7/2 state and a [11.1]²Π_3/2 state located, respectively, at 12 008.89 and 11 096.05 cm⁻¹ above the X²Π_3/2 ground state. These electronic states can be correlated to the [3d⁸(³F)4s]²F atomic term of Ni⁺ as predicted by Carette et al. [J. Mol. Spectrosc.161, 323-335 (1993)].     

A high resolution spectroscopic study of rhodium monochloride

Rhodium monochloride has been observed and characterized spectroscopically for the first time. The RhCl molecules were produced in a laser vaporization molecular beam source by the reaction of a laser vaporized rhodium plasma with CCl₄ doped in helium, and laser-induced fluorescence and dispersed fluorescence were used to study 15 of the strongest bands spanning the 535-415 nm region. Twelve of these bands were studied at high resolution using a cw ring dye laser. Two low-lying states separated by 140 cm⁻¹ have been observed. The ground state has Ω = 2 and is attributed to a ³Π_i state resulting from a δ⁴π³σ¹ electronic configuration. The other low-lying state has Ω = 3 and is attributed to a ³Δ_i state resulting from a δ³π⁴σ¹ electronic configuration. Excited states with Ω values ranging from 1 to 4 have been observed. Dispersed fluorescence from these excited levels has been used to identify a large number of low-lying electronic states within an energy range of 5200 cm⁻¹ and has also been used to determine a ground state vibrational frequency of ∼348 cm⁻¹. Λ-doublings have been observed in all the transitions studied at high resolution.     

The visible spectrum of rhodium monoxide: RhO and RhO

Spectroscopic observations are reported for rhodium monoxide from hollow-cathode emission and laser-induced fluorescence experiments. Eleven bands of Rh¹⁶O and 10 of Rh¹⁸O, from the [15.8]²Π-X⁴Σ⁻ (b) and [16.0]²Π-X⁴Σ⁻ (b) transitions, have been rotationally analyzed. The ground state constants have been determined as B₀ = 0.4132, λ₀ = −0.58 and γ₀ = −0.102, in cm⁻¹. Rotational and lambda doubling parameters in v = 0, 1, 2, and 3 excited state vibrational levels have also been determined.     

The pure rotational spectrum of ZnO in the XΣ and aΠi states

The pure rotational spectrum of ZnO has been measured in its ground X¹Σ⁺ and excited a³Π_i states using direct-absorption methods in the frequency range 239-514 GHz. This molecule was synthesized by reacting zinc vapor, generated in a Broida-type oven, with N₂O under DC discharge conditions. In the X¹Σ⁺ state, five to eight rotational transitions were recorded for each of the five isotopologues of this species (⁶⁴ZnO, ⁶⁶ZnO, ⁶⁷ZnO, ⁶⁸ZnO, and ⁷⁰ZnO) in the ground and several vibrational states (v = 1-4). Transitions for three isotopologues (⁶⁴ZnO, ⁶⁶ZnO, and ⁶⁸ZnO) were measured in the a³Π_i state for the v = 0 level, as well as from the v = 1 state of the main isotopologue. All three spin-orbit components were observed in the a³Π_i state, each exhibiting splittings due to lambda-doubling. Rotational constants were determined for the X¹Σ⁺ state of zinc oxide. The a³Π_i state data were fit with a Hund’s case (a) Hamiltonian, and rotational, spin-orbit, spin-spin, and lambda-doubling constants were established. Equilibrium parameters were also determined for both states. The equilibrium bond length determined for ZnO in the X¹Σ⁺ state is 1.7047 Å, and it increases to 1.8436 Å for the a excited state, consistent with a change from a π⁴ to a π³σ¹ configuration. The estimated vibrational constants of ω_e ∼ 738 and 562 cm⁻¹ for the ground and a state agreed well with prior theoretical and experimental investigations; however, the estimated dissociation energy of 2.02 eV for the a³Π_i state is significantly higher than previous predictions. The lambda-doubling constants suggest a low-lying ³Σ state.     

Fourier transform spectroscopy of CO2 and OCO in the 3800-8500 cm region and the global modeling of the absorption spectrum of CO2

The absorption spectrum of the ¹⁸O enriched carbon dioxide has been recorded at Doppler limited resolution with a Fourier transform spectrometer in the spectral range 3800-8500 cm⁻¹. Seventeen cold bands (14Σ-Σ and 3Σ-Π) and nine hot bands (9Π-Π) of ¹²C¹⁸O₂, nineteen cold bands (18Σ-Σ and 1Σ-Π) and eighteen hot bands (6Σ-Σ, 9Π-Π and 3Δ-Δ) of ¹⁶O¹²C¹⁸O have been observed. Among them, 14 ¹²C¹⁸O₂ bands and 12 ¹⁶O¹²C¹⁸O bands are observed for the first time. The spectroscopic parameters G_v, B_v, and centrifugal distortion constants, have been determined for all observed bands. Effective Hamiltonian parameters for the ¹²C¹⁸O₂ isotopic species are retrieved from the global fitting of the observed line positions presented in this paper and collected from the literature. As the result, 65 obtained effective Hamiltonian parameters reproduce 5443 observed line positions of 73 ¹²C¹⁸O₂ bands with RMS = 0.00145 cm⁻¹.     

Near-infrared Fourier-transform and millimeterwave spectra of the BiS radical

This paper reports the 6400-7400 cm⁻¹ Fourier-transform (FT) near-infrared (NIR) emission spectrum of the BiS X₂²Π_3/2 → X₁²Π_1/2 fine structure bands as well as the millimeterwave rotational spectrum of the X₁²Π_1/2 state. For the FTNIR observations, BiS was produced by reaction of bismuth with sulfur vapor and excited by energy transfer from metastable oxygen, O₂(a¹Δ_g), in a fast-flow system. As was the case for BiO [O. Shestakov, R. Breidohr, H. Demes, K.D. Setzer, E.H. Fink, J. Mol. Spectrosc. 190 (1998) 28-77], the 0.5 cm⁻¹resolution spectrum revealed a number of strong bands in the Δv = 0 and ±1 sequences which showed perturbed band spacings, band shapes, and intensities due to avoided crossing of the X₂²Π_3/2 and A₁⁴Π_3/2 potential curves for v^′ ? 4 of X₂²Π_3/2. The millimeterwave rotational spectrum of BiS in its X₁²Π_1/2 state was observed when BiS was produced in a high-temperature oven by a discharge in a mixture of Bi vapor and CS₂. The signal to noise ratio was markedly improved by using a White-type multipath cell. Ninety seven features from J′ = 23.5 to J′ = 41.5 were measured between 150 and 300 GHz. Analysis of the 0.5 cm⁻¹ resolution FT spectrum yielded the fine structure splitting and vibrational constants of the states. A simultaneous analysis of millimeterwave and a 0.005 cm⁻¹ FT spectrum of the 0-0 band of the NIR system was carried out to give precise rotational, fine, and hyperfine constants for the X₁²Π_1/2 and X₂²Π_3/2 states. The results are consistent with those reported earlier for BiO and indicate only a slight decrease in the unpaired electron density in the 6p(π^∗) orbital on the Bi atom.     

Fourier transform spectroscopy of new emission systems of NbN in the visible region

The emission spectrum of NbN has been reinvestigated in the 8000-35 000  cm⁻¹ region using a Fourier transform spectrometer and two groups of new bands were observed. The bands observed in the 18 000-20 000 cm⁻¹ region have been assigned to a new ³Π-X³Δ transition. Three bands with R heads near 19 463.8, 19 659.0 and 19 757.0 cm⁻¹ have been assigned as 0-0 bands of the ³Π₂-X³Δ₃, ³Π₁-X³Δ₂ and ³Π_0±-X³Δ₁ subbands, respectively, of this new transition. Three additional ΔΩ = 0 bands have been observed in the 24 000-26 000  cm⁻¹ region. A 0-0 band with an R head near 25 409.9 cm⁻¹ has been assigned as a ΔΩ = 0 transition having X³Δ₂ as its lower state while two additional bands with heads near 25 518.7 and 25 534.8 cm⁻¹ were found to be ΔΩ = 0 bands having X³Δ₁ as the common lower state. Two of these three bands are perhaps subbands of a ³Δ-X³Δ transition. Most of the excited levels are affected by perturbations.     

Sub-millimeter wave spectroscopy of the C3H radical: Ro-vibrational transitions from ground to the lowest bending state

Linear C₃H in its (X²Π) electronic ground state possesses strong Renner-Teller coupling in the two lowest bending modes, ν₄ and ν₅. The ²Σ^μ level of the v₄ = 1 bending mode is shifted towards lower energies and is supposed to lie only 20.3 cm⁻¹ above the ground state [S. Yamamoto, S. Saito, H. Suzuki, S. Deguchi, N. Kaifu, S. Ishikawa, M. Ohishi, Astrophys. J. 348 (1990) 363]. In the present study, first measurements of ro-vibrational transitions from the ²Π_3/2 ground state to the ²Σ^μ lowest vibrational state were performed using a Terahertz spectrometer equipped with a supersonic jet nozzle. Rotational levels of the ²Π_3/2 and v₄ = 1(²Σ^μ) state are close in energy and a crossing of the rotational energy ladders occurs between J = 24.5 and 25.5. A strong vibronic coupling leads to a significant intensity enhancement of ²Π_3/2 − ²Σ^μ ro-vibrational transitions. The search for ro-vibrational transitions was facilitated by measurements on pure rotational transitions in the ²Π_1/2, ²Π_3/2 and v₄ = 1(²Σ^μ) states, substantially extending the former data set published by Yamamoto et al. Data analysis yields an accurate value for the v₄ = 1(²Σ^μ) energy level which has been found to lie 609.9771(42) GHz or 20.34664(14) cm⁻¹ above the ²Π ground state. Furthermore, the value of the vibronic coupling constant β has been improved significantly and determined as 1231.77(51) MHz. The new set of spectroscopic parameters obtained in the present study permits very reliable frequency predictions into the Terahertz region.     

A predissociative triplet Rydberg state of the nitrogen molecule studied by near-infrared diode laser kinetic spectroscopy

A new ³Π-³Σ band was observed in a discharge plasma of the nitrogen molecule and helium using near-infrared diode laser kinetic spectroscopy. All the lines in this band exhibited line broadening of more than 0.1 cm⁻¹. Rotational analysis revealed that the lower state of the transition was the state of N₂, which had already been studied in the D³Σ-E³Σ band. The term value and rotational constant suggested that the upper state is the G³Π_u Rydberg state with an electron configuration of (N₂⁺:X²Σ core)(3pπ_u). The line broadening is attributed to predissociation through a homogeneous interaction with a repulsive Π_u state.     

Fourier transform spectroscopy of N2O weak overtone transitions in the 1-2 μm region

The absorption spectrum of the natural sample of nitrous oxide has been recorded at Doppler limited resolution with a Fourier-transform spectrometer in the spectral range 5000-10 000 cm⁻¹. Ten cold bands (8Σ − Σ and 2Σ − Π), thirteen hot bands (11Π − Π, Σ − Σ, and Δ − Δ) of ¹⁴N₂¹⁶O and the 3ν₃ band of ¹⁴N¹⁵N¹⁶O have been newly detected. The uncertainty of the line position determination is estimated to be about 0.005 cm⁻¹ for unblended lines. The assignment of the spectrum has been done with the help of the prediction performed within the framework of the polyad model of effective Hamiltonian. The spectroscopic parameters G_v, B_v, D_v, H_v, and q_v have been determined for all newly detected bands. The line intensities of 13 weak bands have been measured. The uncertainty of the obtained line intensity values varies from 7 to 13%.     

Vibrational and rotational analyses of bands between 636 and 660 nm in the red system of CuCl2

The long wavelength end of the electronic spectrum of CuCl₂, between 636 and 660 nm, has been recorded in the gas phase by laser-excitation spectroscopy using a sample prepared at low temperatures (ca. 10 K) in a free-jet expansion. Under these conditions, it is possible to resolve vibrational, rotational, and even Cu hyperfine structure. The (0, 0) band of the E²Π_u-X²Π_g transition has been identified with an origin at 15546.286(3) cm⁻¹ for ⁶³Cu³⁵Cl₂. The observation and analysis of bands involving vibrationally excited levels has allowed the determination of all three vibrational intervals for the E²Π_u state (ν₁ = 335.88 cm⁻¹, ν₂ = 112.42 cm⁻¹, and ν₃ = 482.17 cm⁻¹, ⁶³Cu³⁵Cl₂). In addition, two other, unrelated transitions have been identified in the same narrow wavelength region. This, combined with the observation of local perturbations of the rotational structure in various bands, reveals the presence of other closely lying electronic states in the same energy region.     

Fourier transform emission spectroscopy and ab initio calculations on NbCl

The emission spectrum of NbCl has been recorded in the 3000-20 000 cm⁻¹ region using a Fourier transform spectrometer. The bands were observed by microwave excitation of a mixture of NbCl₅ vapor and He. Two groups of bands observed in the 6500-7000 cm⁻¹ and 9800-11 000 cm⁻¹ regions have been assigned to two electronic transitions. Five bands observed in the 6500-7000 cm⁻¹ region consist of R, P, and Q branches with no combination defect or Λ-doubling. They have been assigned as five sub-bands of a ΔΛ=±1 transition with Λ>1. Nine bands observed in the 9800-11 000 cm⁻¹ regions consist of R and P branches, and they are also free from Λ-doubling. These bands have been classified into four sub-bands of a ΔΛ=0 transition (with Λ>1), which has tentatively been assigned as . The two transitions have no electronic states in common. Ab initio calculations have been performed on NbCl and the spectroscopic properties of the low-lying electronic states have been calculated. The ground state of NbCl has been predicted to be a state arising from the 3σ¹ 1δ² 2π¹ configuration, with a low-lying state at 1300 cm⁻¹ from the 3σ¹ 1δ¹ 2π² configuration. The results of our experimental and theoretical studies will be presented. This work represents the first experimental investigation of the spectra of NbCl and the first ab initio prediction of the spectroscopic properties of the low-lying electronic states.     

Laser spectroscopy of holmium monosulphide: Electronic, vibrational and rotational structure of the A[14.79]8.5-X8.5, A[14.79]8.5-W[0.25]7.5 and A[14.79]8.5-V[0.98]7.5 transitions

Laser induced fluorescence spectra of HoS have been obtained using a Broida oven and a ring dye laser. Dispersed fluorescence spectra showed transitions from a common upper state, A[14.79]8.5 to the v = 0 and 1 vibrational levels of three low lying states, labelled X8.5, W[0.25]7.5 and V[0.98]7.5 (the states are labelled [10⁻³T₀]Ω according to their energy and Ω assignment). High resolution excitation spectra were obtained for all six transitions and a rotational analysis yielded the following principal constants, in cm⁻¹, for the X, W and V states, respectively: T₀ = 0, 251.8713(31), 980.6969(37); B_e = 0.121903(42), 0.121729(37), 0.122561(34); ΔG_1/2 = 463.8811(46), 462.9411(45), 461.2084(127). For the A state, T₀ = 14794.6987(28) cm⁻¹ and B₀ = 0.112596(29) cm⁻¹. The three low lying states are shown to arise from the Ho²⁺[4f¹⁰(⁵I₈)6s]S²⁻ configuration in accord with Ligand Field Theory predictions. The atomic origin of each of the three low lying electronic states was determined from the observed resolved hyperfine structure.     

The laser-induced fluorescence study of AΣ-XΠi band system of CuS

The laser-induced fluorescence excitation spectra of jet-cooled CuS molecules have been recorded in the energy range of 17 200-19 500 cm⁻¹. Fourteen observed vibronic bands have been assigned as three transition progressions: A²Σ⁻ (v′ = 0-4)-X²Π_3/2 (v″ = 0), A²Σ⁻ (v′ = 0-4)-X²Π_3/2 (v″ = 1), and A²Σ⁻ (v′ = 0-3)-X²Π_1/2 (v″ = 0). Spectroscopic constants of both the X²Π ground state and the A²Σ⁻ excited state of ⁶³CuS and ⁶⁵CuS were determined by analyzing their rotationally resolved spectra. Furthermore, the lifetimes of most observed bands were measured for the first time.     

The formaldehyde cation: Rovibrational energy level structure and Coriolis interaction near the adiabatic ionization threshold

Rotationally resolved pulsed-field-ionization zero-kinetic-energy photoelectron spectra of the 0⁰, 6¹ and 4¹ vibrational levels of the ground electronic state of the formaldehyde cation were recorded using a resonant three-color three-photon excitation scheme. The first adiabatic ionization energy of CH₂O (87793.33(1.30) cm⁻¹) and the rigid-rotor rotational constants (A⁺ = 8.874(8) cm⁻¹, B⁺ = 1.342(15) cm⁻¹, C⁺ = 1.148(18) cm⁻¹) of the vibronic ground state of CH₂O⁺ were derived. A strong a-type Coriolis interaction between the 6¹ and 4¹ vibrational levels was observed. The Coriolis coupling parameter and the deperturbed fundamental vibrational frequencies of the in-plane-rocking mode ν₆ and the out-of-plane bending mode ν₄ were determined to be 8.70(10) cm⁻¹, 823.67(30) cm⁻¹ and 1036.50(30) cm⁻¹, respectively. The intensity distribution of the photoelectron spectra was analyzed in the realm of a simple photoionization model.     

Spectroscopy of NdO: New results

¹⁴²NdO molecules have been produced by heating ¹⁴²Nd₂O₃ to about 2100 K in a vacuum furnace in the presence of argon gas. A ring dye laser operating with DCM dye has been used to excite ¹⁴²NdO transitions in the 636-666 nm spectral region, and induced fluorescence has been spectroscopically analysed at high resolution with a Fourier transform spectrometer. Contributions from thermal emission have been simultaneously observed. Two new low-lying electronic states have been detected, at energies of about 2708 and 4139 cm⁻¹, designated as [2.7], most probably observed at ν = 1, and [4.1], likely to be (2)6 (observed at ν = 0). The ν = 1 level of the (1)6 state, already known at ν = 0, has been observed for the first time. Most levels pumped by the laser, between 14 000 and 17 400 cm⁻¹, could be identified from earlier work. In addition, by studying in more detail recently obtained fluorescence spectra [J. Mol. Spectrosc. 225 (2004) 132] spectroscopic constants have been improved for a number of states. Finally, from thermal emission spectra, rotational analyses of the 0-0 bands of two new systems, [16.4] − (2)5 and [14.1] − X4, and reanalyses at higher resolution of the 0-0 bands of the systems V, VII, VIII, and X have been carried out. A consistent set of spectroscopic constants of the levels of ¹⁴²NdO characterized as yet is presented.     

Fourier transform emission spectroscopy and ab initio calculations on WO

Emission spectra of WO have been observed in the 4000-35 000 cm⁻¹ region using a Fourier transform spectrometer. Molecules were produced by exciting a mixture of WCl₆ vapor and He in a microwave discharge lamp. A ³Σ⁻ state has been assigned as the ground state of WO based on a rotational analysis of the observed bands and ab initio calculations. After rotational analysis, a majority of strong bands have been classified into three groups. Most of the transitions belonging to the first group have an Ω = 0⁺ state as the lower state while the bands in the second group have an Ω′′ = 1 state as the lower state. These two lower states have been assigned as X0⁺ and X1 spin components of the X³Σ⁻ ground state of WO. The third group consists of additional bands interconnected by common vibrational levels involving some very low-lying states. The spectroscopic properties of the low-lying electronic states have been predicted from ab initio calculations. The details of the rotational analysis are presented and an attempt has been made to explain the experimental observations in the light of the ab initio results.